Non-Fashion But Still Awesome Blogs

Thursday, April 30, 2009

I just had to post this because it amuses me endlessly. There is a solution for every problem! Now you can protect yourself against Camel Toe with the Chuchini!

From the website:What is The Cuchini?

The Cuchini is a comfortable, light-weight material that adheres to any undergarment (panties, bikini, sports attire, etc). It smoothes the ridges of a woman’s mons pubis area providing a smooth and camouflaged appearance. This eliminates what is commonly known as "Camel Toe."

1. Smoothes the ridges of a woman’s mons pubis area.2. Keeps undergarments clean.3. Can be used with or without underwear.

They really seem to like saying "mons pubis". You can get your very own Cuchini for only $15 (for two). Or you can amuse (or frighten) yourself by browsing the gallery of celebrity Camel Toe pics. I wonder if you wore this under a bikini and went in the water what the danger of the pad floating to the surface would be? Try explaining that one!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

I will never recommend wearing flip flops to the office, even if they are crystal embellished, but there are plenty of options still available for you. I still shy away from overly bare thong styles, but I think you could get away with the follow:

This romper is sold out at Pixie Market, but I like how they styled it better, so I'm using their picture!! Luckily for you, you can still buy it at Revolve Clothing for three dollars less anyway! Buy for $96 and I would plan to wear a cool belt with it.

From the Barbara Hulanicki (used to design for Biba and '60s fashion icon in London) for TopShop collection, this blazer has got that fabulous sculpted shoulder I've been searching for! It's $260, which is more affordable than most, but suede right before summer... I suppose it could look boho paired with some jean shorts and gladiator sandals!

Crop tops, ahhhhhh! No word on if they're actually caught on past the hipster crowd, but this one has a near flawless fit, not too tight or too loose, to make it as wearable as a crop top can be. Buy at Otte for $166.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

I've been getting really annoyed shopping online of late. So many boutiques just never provide enough pictures to get a good sense of the piece you may be considering.

My biggest pet peeve is probably pictures of clothing laid flat or on hangers - seriously guys, how am I supposed to see its real silhouette?? I look uniformly terrible in shift dresses, but if it's laid down how am I suppose the tell the difference between that and its less voluminous sister, the sheath dress?

I also really hate just one picture. If I can't see the back of a piece, I refuse to buy it, period. It would be nice to see it from the side as well. Luckily, most stores understand this and get at least a front / back view up. Even worse is when there are multiple color options with one picture! No, having boxes showing the color options does NOT make up for it.

There are some sites that seem more interested in creating an "arty" persona than showing you the clothing. This is not an editorial people, this is an online catalog!

Finally, I hate not getting a sense of size. Many sites selling jewelry and purses will provide measurements, but I really like to see proportions. Are those mini, regular or over-sized earrings? Will that purse fit under my shoulder? These are questions immediately answered with the right picture.

I know it's additional costs to put up more shots, but the added value will keep your customers happy and your sales up!

Despite their scary mannequins, Old Navy is awesome for affordable basics! I love the bird detail on this sweater, but there's also a dragon fly depending on the color. It's on sale, but for how much is also dependant on the color, so buy for $13 - $18!

Every summer people start breaking out their maxi dresses and every summer I look for a non babydoll style one! Seriously, do you really want more volume, why is this style so popular?? Well, I may finally end my quest, as this dress sash ties at the waist, giving you a beautiful Grecian look! Buy at Bluefly for the current price of $180.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Shopbop is offering 25% off all full-priced handbags! I am eyeing several, including this super duper chic Antik Batik suede and sequin one! Use this opportunity to save some money and help the economy! The code to use at checkout is "ARMCANDY", and it ends on April 29th.

It's about 90 degrees here in DC; time to break out the sexy summer sandals! I like the giant jewel embellishments on this pair, wear when you feel like channeling Cleopatra! Buy at Free People for $118.

There are unaccountable amounts of floral tops available right now, the more paint-y looking the better! This one is slightly less spring specific (not pastel) so you could easy rock it year round! And it's only $135 at Anne Klein.

And now for your outrageously expensive t-shirt of the day, brought to you by Costume National! This fan tee is cute, but would you really spend $241 on it? It's made of jersey cotton and better magically hide 20 lbs to be worth that!

Fellow write Alyssa mentioned wanting a bikini top that didn't tie at the neck, and I told her such thing did not exist. Well, here to prove me wrong is this skirted bikini, with its back similar to a bra top. Buy the top for $78 and the bottoms for $88 at Anthropologie.

I am a big fan of Puma. In fact, they are pretty much the only sneakers I wear. If this fabulous combination of the Clyde Lace-up and a feminine high heel weren't so outrageously expensive I would be all over them. I would love to confuse our HR dept (no sneakers at work) by wearing these to the office! Get them for $790.00 at Puma Online.

In reviewing submissions for this week’s edition of Links á la Mode, I found comfort in learning I’m not the only one ”nesting” my closet for spring and summer. Thankfully, Agent Lover shows us how to shop for retro swimwear, Super Kawaii Mama shows us some of her favorite pick-me-ups that cost almost nothing and Dirty Laundry gives DIY alternatives to Maison Martin Margiela. Additionally, there are a variety of insightful designer interviews and shopping reviews to check out in this week’s roundup. Finally, Retro Chick explains how she used IFB’s Little Birdie service to organize a goodie bag giveaway for her one year blog birthday.

39th & Broadway: Even fashion designers can get scared of a new and forward trend.

Agent Dreamer: An interview with Rachel Lanese of Crafttastrophe – designer of beautiful shoes and other wearable art.

Apparently a larger version of these were worn by Vanessa on "Gossip Girl," but I prefer the smaller, more delicate looking pair! I personally think her always wearing giant hoop earrings looks a little Jersey anyway. You can by these earrings at Joy O Designs for $128.

Your early morning style news is that Rachel is a new fashion editor for InStyle Magazine with her own Q & A monthly column, WWD.com reported.

Rachel will get down to her editor duties in May’s issue of the fashion mag.

I can talk about fashion all day long, and I am an avid InStyle reader so the relationship seemed perfect! This column is the best homework assignment ever!” Ms. Bilson said in the interview. “I am not planning on quitting my day job to be a full-time fashion editor, although I am really enjoying it and it intrigues me very much.”

The young actress adds that the offer is very flattering, and she’s surprised that people want to ask her questions about style.

Hmmm, I suppose her fashion sense if good, but I don't find her particularly inspiring.

Surprisingly, the Herve Leger skirts I found didn't have the bandage details so...Here's one by Proenza Schouler. It's beautiful but a pricey $890 at Saks Fifth Avenue.You can get a similar look with this Bodycon version at Topshop! I doubt you would fool another fashionista, but for $44 can you afford NOT to buy it??

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

And finally, no day of eco-friendly posting is complete without something form Stella McCartney! She never uses leather or fur, but I'd like to note that not all of her clothing is 100% organic! So I decided to post a cute bikini from her capsule collection, which is all organic, in order to be safe. Buy at Barney's for $275.

I LOVE the color of this dress, and the scalloped petal sleeves. But it sounds like it's silhouette is a bit boxy, not the easiest shape to pull off! If only Nimli had more pictures of it in different angles! Pre-order in fuchsia or raspberry, and maybe get 20% off with the code "PREORDER09" at checkout!

DKNY has released several 100% organic pieces within their Pure DKNY line, and the casual basics are just perfect for summertime frolicking. “We’re all thinking of ways to live more harmoniously with Mother Earth,” Zen queen Donna Karan said. “Pure DKNY is the perfect platform for us to dip our toes. We didn’t want to announce ourselves as green. We wanted to really see what that looks and feels like, as well as how viable, creatively and practically, it is for us to do organic clothes. So far, we’re very happy with where this is going.” The pieces will be available at DKNY shops and major department stores later this month.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Each of these t-shirts features a photo from the archives of the Los Angeles Public Library. The first tee is from a photograph by Gary Leonard "outside of The Vex, a nightclub in Crenshaw, LA, in November of 1980." The second one "depicts a group of kids dispersing to avoid trouble with the police on the Sunset Strip" in 1966. Get either one for $30 from American Apparel.

Whoa, stop the presses! Gap Inc, which has brought us Gap, Old Navy, Bananrepublic and Piperlime, apparently has a new store! It's called Athleta and sells sportswear! Why have I not heard about this, I was just going to the Gap site and there it was! They cover all the different sports, but it looks like their bread and butter is really yoga clothing.They also have swimwear (sport and regular) and some artisan jewelry from CA.

These remind me of the paint splattered boyfriend jeans I posted except SO not $600!! Get the look for just $35 at Delia*s instead! Hmm, I'm realy petite and have narrow hips, maybe juniors sized would fit me better anyway?

The film that many fashion lovers want to see, Valentino: The Last Emperor, had a limited release to certain theaters, mostly in NYC. But it's coming to theaters in more cities, including the Washington, DC area! Las Vegas probably doesn't count as a fashion-loving city because we sit around in sequin bra tops all day.Check to see if it's playing in a theater near you!

Since everything I've posted so far has been more than $150, I really intended to post something under $100! But then I saw this at Chocosho and went "Oooo" even though it's $288 so here it is! I like the shape and really love the extra flap with pocket!

While I'm not usually a fan of hi tops, I forgive these sneakers because they are so rad! I love the buckle closures, they feel very futuristic rock! Buy at Urban Outfitters for $165, sizes 36 and 37 are already back-ordered!

Some of you may recognize this dress as a recent splurge of mine, last worn at the Dress Up Soiree in NY. Well this will be my dress of the season, as I'm next wearing it to a wedding this weekend and then probably my engagement party! It's super cute, and can be found for $398 at BCBG - luckily for you there's a sale code "SPRINGGIFT" where you get $100 off a purchase of $300 or more!